SAULT STE. MARIE – All hands on deck. That’s the message Sault Ste. Marie politicians are sending to Noront Resources as the city is one of two communities shortlisted for a ferrochrome facility.

The other is Timmins. While the next step is up to Noront and Algoma to reach a contractual agreement or memorandum of understanding detailing how the two companies would work together, politicians are offering their support to the parties.

An agreement between the two companies will need to outline commercial terms and conditions as well as services Noront and Algoma could potentially share or participate in.

Sault MPP Ross Romano said he sat down with Noront’s top executives Thursday in an hour-long meeting offering his support and assistance as the Toronto-based firm continues with its due diligence process and works at brokering lease agreements with its shortlisted sites.

The former Kidd Operations copper smelter in Timmins is the other shortlisted site the company is working with. Romano and Mayor Christian Provenzano believe that Sault Ste. Marie’s presentation of its “A path forward” proposal impressed the Noront executives and answered all of their questions.